Count released for bighorn sheep population

The annual count of bighorn sheep in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has concluded and the news is good, wildlife officials said.

For three days last month, dozen of volunteers staked out watering holes throughout the 600,000-acre park, waiting in the heat for sheep to appear.

They reported spotting 255 sheep, the third-highest count in the 40 years of the census, which wildlife experts said confirms the species’ recovery.

However, the count was down from last year’s 354.

Anza-Borrego park ranger Steve Bier said he isn’t alarmed by the year-over-year decrease.

“It wasn’t hot enough. It was only 110 degrees the first day, then it dropped to 102 and 103,” he said. “Sheep don’t go to watering holes when it’s that cool. They won’t need to drink for days; 108 to 115 degrees is ideal.”